Scientology takes on the evil psychs at the APA, and more in our weekly social media review! - 2016-05-15

It's time again for Rod Keller's Scientology Social Media Review. He's made a specialty of hunting down the odd and wonderful things Scientologists post to the 'net. He's a chronicler who piece by piece builds a highly detailed assessment of what Scientology is doing around the world, and this is what he found for us this week…

Scientologists and members of the Nation of Islam marched from Woodruff Park in Atlanta to protest the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association at the Georgia World Congress Center. They are protesting Psychiatry in general, as well as the proposed reclassification of electroconvulsive therapy equipment from class III to the less regulated class II devices. One of our local correspondents was on the scene and tells us that only about 150 people showed up, and nearly all of them were Scientologists, even though non-Scientology groups had also endorsed the march.

Long-time Sea Org member Dusty Rhodes (right) visited the Kiev, Ukraine mission this week. Rhodes was a well-liked crew member on the Apollo (from which L. Ron Hubbard ran Scientology while sailing the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean, 1967-1975), and was posted at Flag and Gold base during his career. About 20 Scientologists signed Sea Org contracts during the event, although few, if any, will ever arrive to a Sea Org base to activate and join the EPF. It's common for Scientologists at emotionally charged events to sign such contracts without ever joining the Sea Org. Other Ukrainians signed a Pledge Board, promising to come to Flag for services at some point. Members are told that it's important to get their postulate in writing in the physical universe, and the details can be worked out later. Once a pledge is made members can be pressured to pre-pay for services in Clearwater, even if they have no way to get there